Indian Pilgrims Flock to Mahendranagar Following Purnagiri Temple Visit

Mahendranagar. A large crowd of Indian pilgrims has gathered in Mahendranagar, Kanchanpur. According to the belief that wishes are fulfilled only after worshipping Siddhababa in Mahendranagar and Brahmadev, following the pilgrimage to Purnagiri Mata located in the Chure hill range of Champawat district in Uttarakhand, India, the influx of Indian pilgrims has increased here starting today.

Although the fair began with Fagu Purnima, the crowd of pilgrims increased significantly since this morning. With thousands of pilgrims gathering since early morning, Nepal Police and the municipal police of Bhimdatta Municipality are engaged in managing the situation at the temple and surrounding areas.

“Due to the belief that one must visit the Siddhanath Temple after visiting Purnagiri, thousands of pilgrims come here,” said Dinesh Malla, President of the Kanchanpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, adding, “A community kitchen (Bhandara) has been set up near the temple to provide food for the Indian pilgrims.”

He mentioned that along with the crowd of pilgrims, there has been increased activity in areas like Mahendranagar, Brahmadev, and Gaddachauki. Efforts are being made to manage parking in the market area. Keshav Singh Nayak, Chairman of the Siddhanath Temple Conservation Committee in Brahmadev, stated that during the Navaratra period alone, thousands of pilgrims visit the Siddhanath Temple daily.

The Purnagiri fair is held annually from Fagu Purnima until Ashar. He reported that over one lakh pilgrims visited the Siddhanath Temple over the three months. “Although market activity has increased due to the pilgrims, the trade is not as good as before,” Chairman Nayak said, “However, the hotel and transportation businesses are doing well during this time.”

Similarly, Pramod Jajodia, a senior businessman in Mahendranagar, stated that for the past decade, they have collectively organized a community kitchen (Bhandara) for the pilgrims visiting the temple during Navaratri.

“We provide free meals for the nine days of Navaratri; two to three thousand to eight to nine thousand pilgrims eat here daily,” he said, “About 30 to 40 local businessmen jointly manage the free food arrangement near the Siddhanath Temple every year during the Purnagiri fair.”